Cancun is the major hub in the Yucatan Peninsula, and likely the first destination you’ll visit if you’re traveling to the Riviera Maya soon! It’s an incredibly fun city, offering everything from pristine beaches to nightclubs, great shopping opportunities and, you guessed it, mouthwatering cuisine.
Mexican is one of my favorite foods of all time (and hopefully yours too?), and Cancun might just be the best place in the region to stuff yourself in tacos and enchiladas… or learn how to make them 😉
What better way to start your Mexican vacation than with a solid list of traditional recipes and all the secrets to the country’s most iconic dishes?
Attending a cooking class is one of the best things to do in Cancun, and I’ve done the homework for you, scouting all the options available to select the most traditional, highly-rated, extraordinary cooking classes in Cancun. Below, you’ll find my best finds, so keep reading and take your pick!
➥ Why can you trust me? I’ve spent over six months exploring Mexico – and obviously eating my way through the country and attending quite a few cooking classes along the way.
My personal experience in these types of classes, combined with over a decade in the travel industry, helped me curate this list of handpicked cooking classes in Cancun, ensuring they’re all authentic, high-quality experiences that offer incredible value. You can trust that all the options below are the best in the region, and worth your time.
I use (and trust) Viator when booking tours and classes around the world. I especially recommend the platform because of its fantastic cancellation policy. If for any reason your travel plans change, you can cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Limited time? These are the best options:
| THE BEST COOKING CLASS | Mexican Cooking Class |
| PRIVATE COOKING CLASS | Private Cooking Class and Market Tour |
OUR PICK: The BEST Cooking Class in Cancun
This Mexican Cooking Class with Fresh Local Market Ingredient Selection and Transport starts with a visit to a local market, bursting with smells, colorful spices, and the sounds of vendors promoting their products and locals making their way through the stalls.
You’ll get to wander around the market led by a foodie guide, who will tell you about the various ingredients you’ll need for the class as you practice your Spanish skills and shop for them.
With a full basket, head to the kitchen of your Cancun cooking school, where the actual experience will take place. You’ll be suited up with an apron, take your place in a cooking station, and following the chef’s instructions, create a 4-course meal from scratch.
The menu may vary depending on the season, but sample dishes include making delicious guacamole, refried beans, and pico de gallo, learning the ingredients, proportions, and the right order of mixing ingredients to ensure a perfect starter.
You’ll also be taught how to use a stone mortar, clay pots, and a griddle to prepare mains such as handmade tortillas, sopes with various toppings, or enchiladas. My favorite part? Getting to make an authentic Margarita cocktail!
Between sips of your handmade drink, make the final dish of the class: traditional arroz con leche for dessert.
There’s only one appropriate way to finish the experience, and that’s sitting down to relish all your creations. Buen provecho!
➤ Why this Mexican cooking class? It’s a super comprehensive class, introducing you to every aspect of Mexican cuisine. You’ll not only learn a few traditional recipes but also learn about local ingredients at a market. Practice new cooking techniques, and cook an incredible variety of dishes.
Read what the reviews say:
”We had a GREAT time!!! Going to the local food market was awesome, and our guide Carlos was so engaging and informative. During the class he explained the history behind the food and the way it is prepared. Highly recommend this experience!! Different than your average food tour, this was a much more 1:1 experience and we left feeling a little more connected to the culture.”
Margaret_M – Read more reviews
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, all ingredients, a chef/guide, a 4-course meal with drinks, tea & coffee, and recipes. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other GREAT Cooking Classes in Cancun
▶️ A Tasty Mexican Cooking Class with Feast in Riviera Maya will unveil the secrets of some of Mexico’s most renowned dishes. These include Carnitas, Tamales, and Cochinita Pibil – the menu varies depending on the day.
You’ll be preparing a 6-course meal in a culinary school situated right in the heart of the Mayan jungle.
After you’ve finished crafting your creations, you’ll get to enjoy an authentic Mexican fiesta (party) with music, drinks, and tequila shots. Needless to say, you’ll also feast on the meal and dessert you prepared in this Cancun cooking class.
This tour includes: All ingredients, the cooking class, drinks, recipes, snacks, and a meal. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Another fantastic class is this Elaboration of Tortillas by Hand following the Mexican Tradition. It’s a 1-hour experience in which you’ll learn every step of the process from a local.
Craft handmade tortillas from scratch, and prepare tacos with traditional Mexican fillings. You’ll also learn about Mexico’s main ingredients, and discover your host’s family recipes. End the experience by sitting down to enjoy your homemade meal.
This tour includes: Tortilla-making class, a meal, and a certificate of appreciation. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Cancun – Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group) is a fabulous experience. With the guidance of an expert, you’ll delve into Mexican culture as you learn about the ingredients and traditional dishes you’ll prepare.
Following recipes from the region, you’ll cook a delicious lunch with starters such as totopos, guacamole, and enchiladas.
Create a mole sauce and prepare a delicious cochinita pibil (or a vegan/veggie alternative). You’ll have so much fun sharing this experience with your loved ones! The tour accommodates small groups of up to six.
This tour includes: All ingredients, a chef/guide, and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Chocolate Making Class in Cancun
Sweet tooth? You may want to skip the traditional Cancun cooking classes and join an Artisanal Chocolate Bean to Bar Workshop instead. A local chef will welcome you with a cocoa drink and teach you about the delicious product before starting the hands-on experience.
You’ll learn the history of chocolate, which has its origins in Mesoamerica (which is now Mexico!) and create your very own chocolate bar from scratch.
You’ll also enjoy a chocolate tasting, so we can confidently say you’ll be chocolated out when you leave. (And trust me, that’s a delicious thing!)
This tour includes: A welcome drink, a chocolate workshop with all ingredients, bottled water, and 3 chocolate bars. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Coba Ruins + Cooking Class with a Mayan Community
The Coba Adventure and Sabrosura – Enjoy, Support, and Interact at the Mayan Communities is a wonderful cooking class slash historical tour in Cancun.
You’ll start the day by visiting the striking Coba Ruins, one of the only Mayan ruins in Mexico that you can still climb, and then you’ll venture into the jungle.
There you’ll enjoy a myriad of adventures, from canoeing to hiking. Finally, head to a Mayan community village where you’ll take part in a cooking class. You’ll learn to make tortillas from the local women and share the meal with them. It doesn’t get more authentic than this!
This tour includes: Transportation, entrance fee to Coba, lunch, a visit to the community, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
